Intruders who had gained access to the church between the hours of 12.45 a.m. and 9 a.m. by smashing a side window of the sacristy, proceeded to wreak havoc once they were inside.

Father Ciprian was shocked to discover the damage that had been done.

'Everything was completely upside down,' he said. ' When we came in everything was broken and all over the floor.

'They had thrown all of the vestments on the floor, and a box of CDs that had been on a table were thrown all over the floor and smashed. We called the Gardaí immediately and they investigated what they could from the scene. Then we had to clean up straight away in order to be ready for Mass.'

While those responsible were intent on vandalism, Fr Ciprian believes that a small amount of money (approximately €50) was stolen, along with a few of the CDs.

Gardaí are still working with Father Ciprian to establish if anything else was taken during the break in.

What amazed Father Ciprian further was how the vandals managed to gain access to the sacristy.

'The window which they smashed was very small,' he said.

'I don't know how they managed to get through it. One of them must have cut themselves getting in because there was a small amount of blood on the window and on some of the vestments. The Gardaí took samples of the blood, along with some fingerprints, and are investigating the matter at the moment.'

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of the Friary between the hours of 12.45 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Thursday to contact them at Wexford Garda Station.